Censors Board Moves Against ‘Living in Colors’ Premiere Over Unlicensed Content

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has moved to stop the planned premiere of Living in Colors, warning that the film has neither been submitted for vetting nor classified by the regulatory agency.

The film is scheduled for a premiere on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Banex Mall, Plot 10, Akiogun Road, Oniru, Lekki, Lagos.

The NFVCB’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Shaibu Husseini, raised concerns about the movie after reviewing its trailer, which was released on August 23.

Husseini said the trailer contains what he described as explicit sexual content and promotes same-sex relationships.

He said the board had not received the full film for regulatory review and therefore had not granted approval for its public exhibition.

“The Board states categorically that this film has neither been submitted, vetted, nor classified by the NFVCB, rendering any public exhibition or promotion completely illegal,” Husseini said.

He disclosed that the board had commenced regulatory action against the filmmakers and the venue allegedly scheduled to host the premiere.

“Consequently, the Board is taking immediate regulatory actions on the movie, the filmmakers and on the exhibition centre that would allow the premiere and public exhibition of a movie that has not been licensed by the NFVCB,” he said.

Living in Colors reportedly follows the lives of a group of young flatmates in Lagos and explores themes including relationships, betrayal, desperation, friendship and sexuality.

The film’s main characters include Jeremy, Justine, Efe, Chris, Shawn and Robert.

The development comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s restrictive legal framework on same-sex relationships and the NFVCB’s regulatory mandate over films and video content intended for public exhibition.

Husseini said the board would continue monitoring digital platforms and take necessary regulatory action regarding content that violates Nigeria’s laws and film classification requirements.

The NFVCB has urged members of the public and exhibition centres to ensure that films are submitted, vetted and classified before being publicly exhibited.